Campaigners bidding to save a village pub from demolition marked the first anniversary of its closure this week.

Cleeve’s Lord Nelson pub has been shut since Tout Ltd bought the site, and its plans to raze the pub and create a mixed-use facility including a petrol station, offices and pub café have been met with concern from residents.

Campaigners gathered at the pub on Saturday, with one supporter donning the regalia of Horatio Nelson himself.

Don Veale, of the campaign to save the pub, told the Times ‘there are so many reasons why it is not good for Cleeve’.

He said: “The effects of road congestion and safety; parking, noise and light pollution; the effect on property prices and the fact we already have a store and hairdressers, have been gone into many times.

“The vast majority here are opposed to Tout’s’ proposals, which will only be of benefit to passing trade.

“In the meantime, the Nelson, an iconic structure, has simply been left to rot.”